From the Hometown of Susan B. Anthony

New Women’s Times

Vol IX No 1 January 1983

Inside:

Feminist Review

Issued in two parts 80¢C

Racism, Porn Invade Video Games

(NEW YORK, NEW YORK)--If American Mul- tiple Industries has its way, thousands of Atari home video screens will feature Indigenous women as the target of white male aggression and sexwal violence. The new "game," Custer's Revenge, was introduced during the National Music, Sound and Video Trade Show at the New York Hilton in October. The video car- tridge costs $50, and sports a bound female on its cover. ~

The object of Custer's Revenge is to Maneuver a naked Custer (in cowboy hat, boots and scarf) with an erection, a- eross the desert, arrows flying, towards a red-skinned dark haired Indian woman (a la feather in her hair). If Custer reaches the woman, he then rapes her as his "reward." The number of points de- pends >n the number of rapes...in the words of the manufacturer, "You score, when you score."

The “game' has) been the object of outraged protest by both Indigenous and women's groups. On October 14, the ‘American Indian Community House of New York City, the National Organization of Women (NOW) N.Y., Women Against Porno- graphy and others, picketted in front of the Hilton. Demonstrators carried signs condemning racist and sexual ex- ploitation, pornography and profiteer- ing. Chants against sexual and racial violence intermingled with Native Amer- ican songs, a verbal reminder to on- lookers of a people's fight to survive and to preserve its traditions. Sever-

al Indigenous protesters wore tradition-

al dress.

Michael A. Bush, Executive Director of American Indian Community House stated, "As American Indians, we are ‘vehemently opposed to the exploitative use of our race for the titillation of the public. We see this disgusting video game for what it truly is: a sexist, racist, sadistic expression, the sole purpose of which is to fill the pockets of its creators and promo- ters."

Denise D. Fuge, president of NOW-NY, added that Custer's Revenge "uses new technology to exploit women and degrade the American Indian community. (It) por- trays rape as an erotic act, promotes the acceptability of raping certain

ais i

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Feminists and Indigenous people demonstrat against ‘Custer’s

Revenge’ and two other x-rated video games in front of the Hilton Hotel in New York City. Photos by Betty Lane.

groups of women, i.e. Indian women, and ignores.the fact that rape is a weapon of war where male revenge is enacted upon women who are viewed as the property of their enemies."

Home video games are most fre- quently used by adolescent males.

The messages and implications of Custer's Revenge and other "X-rated" video "games," once internalized, push teenage boys closer to our cul- ture's acceptance of recreational vio- lence against women, perpetuating the vision of female as victim. Players become aggressors in a "game" of sexual assault. Rape becomes a sport, with a reward far more insidious

than points on a video screen. As spokeswoman Robin Quinn of WAP points out, ,"Custer's Revenge not only says that rape is a legitimate form of/re- venge, but also that rape is a legi- timate form of entertainment.”

A representative for AMI has stated that the game is harmless fun and de- picts "an act of two consenting adults (video images)." Atari has de- nied any agreement or contract with AMI. for the manufacture or marketing

of Custer's Revenge, although their name appears on the cartridge packag- ing, stating it has not received any revenues from its sale. Atari has brought suit against AMI to stop the "game's" distribution and sale. info:Kristen Reilly/WAP NEWSREPORT

EDITOR'S NOTE: AMI plans to market five or six more "X-rated" games in January, 1983, and seven other com- panies are presently developing games for release during the next year. These games are expected to gross

$1 billion annually from the adult market.

Women's and Indigenous groups, as well as Custer's descendants, are protesting the marketing of Custer's Revenge. If you also wish to regis- ter your protest, write: Stuart Kesten, President, American Multiple Industries, 8911 Nordhoff Street, Northridge, CA 91234 (213-855- 7170). Letters supporting Atari's legal position should be sent to Legal Department, Atari Video Sys- tems, 1265 Borregas Ave., Sunnyvale, CA. 94086.